300wsm or 325wsm for elk

D

daggertine

Guest
My son is going to buy a new rifle for elk, this gun will be used for any other big game that he may hunt in his lifetime deer, bear, moose but mainly elk and deer. He also wants it to be stainless with a synthetic stock and pretty light weight I have a model 70 win 300wsm stainless synthetic that I'v had for 5 years I love this rifle it is comfortable to carry in the mountains and comfortable to shoot. I'v gotten 2 bull elk a bear and a muley buck with the gun it seemed to do a fine job with 180 gr bullets but all the shots were around 50 or 60 yards. Do you guys think the 325wsm is mabey a better choice ? Recoile dosn't really bother him but he dosn't want a gun that kicks real bad either. I wouldn't trade my 300wsm for anything but the 325wsm sounds interesting. What do you guys think ?
 
The 300 will be more versatile for other game. If elk hunting is more important than deer to him, he should go with the .325.
 
I've read some great feed back on the .325wsm , it is supposed to have the power of the .338 win without the recoil and is still a flat shootoing 300 . I'd personally go with the 300 wsm but that .325 sounds like just the ticket for elk , moose and bear , I don't think he'd go wrong with either , and its just a matter of matching the bullet with the game he's hunting . Let us know what he gets ...NM
 
Do you handload? My personal preferance would be the .325, just because it will be hands don better for Moose and big Bears. But if you rely on factory ammo, Im not so sure that the .325 will remain popular enough to have a good selection of factory loads. If you dont handload, I'd go the .300.

 
257Tony has a good point, it depends on if you handload as I don't see the .325 gaining popularity like the 300 due mostly because it doesn't fit a niche. I opt for smaller calibers because I shoot them a heck of a lot better then the big bore's.
 
I just bought the .325 Win. model 70 Classic last fall and used it on whities here in WI. Using factory 200 gr. accubonds it performed perfectly on deer. 3 one shot kills and no more damage to meat than my 30-06. I choose the .325 because I will be using it on elk, mule deer as well. Also moose and bear in the future. Recoil is not a factor at all and it shoots great.

Nails.
 
I shoot a 300wsm Browning A-bolt, stainless and I've killed one black bear and one elk. If the 325wsm would have came out at the same time I would have bought it. I think it's a little better but a 180gr. out of the 300 is hard to beat. I'd go with the 300 so you and your son can shoot the same ammo.
 
Thanks all of you for the thoughts and info it really helps alot if you have any more ideas on this subject plesae post them. Thanks again!!!
 
Last fall I purchased a Kimber 8400 classic in 300wsm, it weighs about 6 lbs. I love it! Kimber also makes it in a "Montana" which is stainless compostite make up. This gun weighs just 5lbs 2 oz., the 300 should be quite managable for kick. The 325 obviously has more power but limited choices for factory ammo. It will kick more also. Both should work quite well.
 
Hey coulee I heard about that kimber montana that sounds like about what we'er looking for. do you know an approximit price on it? Do you think it weighing just 5lbs 2oz. would have a much harder kick ? some people say if a gun is too light it kicks harder. I think we are going to go with 300wsm not 325wsm. Thanks
 
The Kimbers don't come cheap. I found a bargain on the classic for $850. I was originally looking at the Montana in 270wsm, list price at approx $1100. When I found the 300wsm at the mismarked price I jumped all over it. As I said before, I am extremely happy with it, would not trade the caliber for anything else. I will probably get a Kimber Montana later when more funds are available just because I have been so impressed with the Manufacturer.
Yes, the gun will kick more with the light weight. I have found the factory installed Decellorator pad to be quite comfortable.
Good hunting!
 
As Coulee said you can espect to pay anywhere from about $1050 up to $1200. I personally wouldnt pay more than $1100 because you will be able to find them for less than that, atleast you can in Oklahoma. I dont know if the prices run the same in other states. The kimber is a super rifle... match grade trigger, action, and barrel, pair it with good handloads or atleast premium ammo and it will be a real shooter.
 
I think the WSM kimbers are about a pounder heavier IIRC.

My wife has a 325 in a M70 Featherwieght... With 200grainerss it kicks pretty hard. As a mater of fact I'd rather shoot my 375H&H than that little thing! I coudn't imagine shooting one in a Kimber thats a pound and a half lighter.
 
I HATE RECOIL FROM BIG GUNS ! I have a .270 and an 06 and both are not heavy kickers , then the rest are all smaller calibers from .243wssm to 22 LR .....I think my 12ga, shooting 3in mag steel shot is the hardest kicking gun , but during the goose hunt I'm so bundled up I never feel the kick .....375 = ouccccccchhhh!!!
 
LAST EDITED ON Mar-25-06 AT 01:40PM (MST)[p]I bought my son a Winchester model 70 300 WSM featherweight and it is an awesome gun. He killed his first bull with it, one shot dead bull. He is 22 and a big kid so recoil does not bother him as well. I cannot comment on the 325 yet I am a firm believer in the 300wsm. Your sentence I wouldn't trade my 300wsm for anything just about says it all.
 
My opinion (whichs isn't much)either one of these calibers will do the job and do it well. The questions is, how dead is dead? I think today we all get to wrapped up in all the hype. Think of how many Elk have been killed with a .30-.30. The .300WSM or the .325WSM are both capable of doing what you want, it just comes down to getting the gun the way you want it in the right caliber for you.

Either way it's a win win.

Good Luck
 

Click-a-Pic ... Details & Bigger Photos
Back
Top Bottom